Jr. Rangers blank Bears

from staff reports
The Unaka Jr. Rangers made a non-conference visit to south Greene County Tuesday night to take on the Camp Creek Bears, and used a strong defensive showing to blank the Bears, 18-0.
Jeff Wilson got the Rangers on the board early as he bulled through the Camp Creek defense from 23 yards out. Camp Creek's offense kept the ball away from Unaka for the remainder of the first quarter, and the tally after one quarter of play was 6-0.
Wilson then made a nifty return on a punt to set the Rangers up with good field position. After some tough yardage from back Mickey Campbell, Dustin Carden broke loose on a 38-yard scamper to put the Rangers inside the Camp Creek 10-yard line.
Wilson then found his way into the end zone yet again to put the Rangers up 12-0.
The game was played under Greene County rules in which the teams get 2 points for a kicked extra point and only 1 if the team elects to run it in. This is to encourage the middle school squads to develop a sound kicking game for their high school programs. Wilson's kick sailed wide left but the score at the half was 12-0 Unaka.
The Ranger defense then took over in the second half, allowing Camp Creek no first downs.
After being pinned deep in its own territory, Camp Creek's punt was blocked and recovered by Jeremy Sommers on the Bear 4-yard line. Wilson then punched it in to take a commanding 18-0 lead.
Unaka's defense held yet again, and after a punt, both squad's reserves brought the fourth quarter to a close.
"Coach Jason Hartley's defense has played pretty sound all year. This was a tough and well-coached Camp Creek team," said Unaka skipper Matt Wilson.
Unaka's second squad moved the ball well with some nifty runs by Chris Pierce and fullback Ryan Gouge. Backup quarterback Cody Anderson led the reserves deep into Camp Creek territory on the final drive of the night to secure the Ranger win 18-0.
Unaka improves to 4-2 overall and 2-2 in the conference.
The Rangers travel to Johnson County Thursday night to the face the Jr. Horns.
"We've never lost a non-conference game and I think it's just a testament to how tough the Little Watauga Conference is, and the quality of coaches in the league," said Coach Wilson.